Quotes of the day

posted at 10:45 pm on April 24, 2012 by Allahpundit

“Mitt Romney effectively assumed the helm of the Republican Party on Tuesday after five primary victories across the Northeast solidified his stature as the presidential nominee-in-waiting who is trying to unite conservatives and persuade independent voters that President Obama does not deserve a second term…

“The Romney campaign is aggressively looking into all aspects of the Obama administration, with a plan to present the president as a nice and likable but unsuited to solving the country’s economic challenges. Aides said they intended to keep the conversation focused on Mr. Obama’s record in the White House and not his personal biography.

“‘There is a pretty broad view that President Obama is a good family man and decent guy, but may be in over his head,’ said Mr. Gillespie, a former counselor to George W. Bush, who was brought into the Romney campaign this month. He said the argument against re-election would be built around the suggestion that Mr. Obama ‘has not displayed strong leadership, but failed leadership and weak leadership.'”

“Many conservative bloggers and reporters believe that mainstream publications and networks ignore stories that make the president or his allies look bad. One of the few surefire ways to force the media to cover a story they would prefer to ignore is to have the Republican presidential candidate talk about it. In 2008, McCain’s refusal to do so was particularly hobbling, but the Romney campaign is, so far at least, proving more willing to highlight those controversial topics or ones best handled with a bit of laughter — and utilizing the later hours of the campaign news cycle to do it…

“The Romney campaign is approaching the coming weeks with a strategy of ‘bracketing’ — doing events before and after key Obama campaign stops, making Obama’s message for that event implausible, refuted, and silly by the time he delivers his remarks. Before an Obama stop, Romney will do interviews with local radio stations. Last week Romney went to Charlotte, N.C., to give a ‘pre-buttal’ to Obama’s acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in September. Romney was supposed to speak on a rooftop with a view of the convention site, the Bank of America football stadium; bad weather forced his team indoors, and Romney spoke with a the city skyline behind him.”

***

“On Romney’s speech Tuesday night, Santorum said he struck the right tone. ‘I think he painted a strong picture. It’s one that’s a clear contrast to what this president’s brought this country,’ he said. Despite having once been his opponent, Santorum said the goal is to defeat President Obama, and he would support that. ‘This is about making sure we have the right person in the presidency, in the House and the Senate,’ Santorum said. ‘I believe he’s the better — obviously I believed I was the better choice. But I’m not in the race anymore.’

“If Romney wins the election, it’s almost a sure bet that Republicans win control of both the House and the Senate. And that matters. Right now, the GOP’s agenda is the Ryan budget, and that’s entirely fiscal: It’s a premium support plan for Medicare, and tax cuts, and deep cuts to Medicaid, food stamps and other domestic programs. All that can be passed through budget reconciliation — which is to say, all that can be made immune to the filibuster.

“So if Romney wins and the Republicans take control, they could accomplish quite a lot on party-line votes, even if their majorities are slim, and Democrats are opposed. Indeed, Romney could end up being a fairly transformational president for conservatives so long as he’s paired with a Republican Congress.”

***

***

“Four years ago Barack Obama dazzled us in front of Greek columns with sweeping promises of hope and change. But after we came down to earth, after the celebration and parades, what do we have to show for three and a half years of President Obama?

“Is it easier to make ends meet? Is it easier to sell your home or buy a new one? Have you saved what you needed for retirement? Are you making more in your job? Do you have a better chance to get a better job? Do you pay less at the pump?

“If the answer were ‘yes’ to those questions, then President Obama would be running for re-election based on his achievements…and rightly so. But because he has failed, he will run a campaign of diversions, distractions, and distortions. That kind of campaign may have worked at another place and in a different time. But not here and not now. It’s still about the economy …and we’re not stupid.

Breaking on Hot Air

Blowback

Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.

Trackbacks/Pings

Comments

i didn’t see the speech, so i’m reading it. This is a particularly fun part:

Government is at the center of his vision. It dispenses the benefits, borrows what it cannot take, and consumes a greater and greater share of the economy. With Obamacare fully installed, government will come to control half the economy, and we will have effectively ceased to be a free enterprise society.

This President is putting us on a path where our lives will be ruled by bureaucrats and boards, commissions and czars. He’s asking us to accept that Washington knows best – and can provide all.

We’ve already seen where this path leads. It erodes freedom. It deadens the entrepreneurial spirit. And it hurts the very people it’s supposed to help. Those who promise to spread the wealth around only ever succeed in spreading poverty. Other nations have chosen that path. It leads to chronic high unemployment, crushing debt, and stagnant wages.

i’m sorry, my wife has already told me once today not to dis McCain so much…but did McCain ever say anything close to this:

We will stop the unfairness of urban children being denied access to the good schools of their choice; we will stop the unfairness of politicians giving taxpayer money to their friends’ businesses; we will stop the unfairness of requiring union workers to contribute to politicians not of their choosing; we will stop the unfairness of government workers getting better pay and benefits than the taxpayers they serve; and we will stop the unfairness of one generation passing larger and larger debts on to the next.

ExpressoBold on April 24, 2012 at 11:19 PM
Haha, like the won about the robber who tells Obama to give him all of his money. Obama says “don’t you know I’m the president?” The robber says, “then give me all of my money”.

So you pizzed all over the floor on the open thread and now you are here. Why? Why are you here at all?

katy the mean old lady on April 24, 2012 at 11:17 PM

He/she craves attention and thinks a cheap way to get it is coming over here, squatting and grunting. I’ve sort of watched his posts on other threads for some of that intellectual acuity he moans about…..no joy.

FloatingRock on April 24, 2012 at 11:21 PM
Haha, chit chat. All night huh, so you stay up all night reading our chit chat? Some life ya got there. Not even blue gill stays up to read it. She just complains in the morning. Besides, don’t you have a demonstration to go to?

Btwn his comments about Martin/Zimmerman and learning that he’s a ‘Bircher’-THAT I need to confirm-I’ve no desire to see LTC West in higher office.

annoyinglittletwerp on April 24, 2012 at 11:16 PM

He has walked back his original comments on Treyvon and made it clear he doesn’t know the facts, said NotsoSharpton and Jesse Jackass need to shut up. And I honestly did not know it was possible to be a “Bircher” and Black.

Haha, chit chat. All night huh, so you stay up all night reading our chit chat? Some life ya got there. Not even blue gill stays up to read it. She just complains in the morning. Besides, don’t you have a demonstration to go to?

Rusty Allen on April 24, 2012 at 11:24 PM

That’s the other thing: the handful of Romney supporters that chit-chat all night treat the other members like dirt and they don’t come around any more. Instead of lively, mostly civil intellectual debates, we have chit-chat.

That’s the other thing: the handful of Romney supporters that chit-chat all night treat the other members like dirt and they don’t come around any more. Instead of lively, mostly civil intellectual debates, we have chit-chat.

FloatingRock on April 24, 2012 at 11:28 PM

FR, join us in a little fun, you’ve been at it all day. Time to take a load off. Not all of us are anti social. :)

Hot Air has become such a downer. AP? I think you need to retire, dude. You’re depressing. Every time I come here I get more and more discouraged. Between the gassy old farts who dominate the comments with their stupid chat-room BS, and the intentional divisiveness of the the thread topics. … This place has gone to the dogs. Hot Air has become a detriment to the conservative cause.

minnesoter on April 24, 2012 at 11:04 PM

I read nearly every serious comment posted when I have the time. You have added less then you suggest. Google your name in conjunction with the sites name to see what I mean. You are with out humor and no great addition to anything I suspect. You type out the most unthoughtful and boorish stuff to be found here at HA. Recycled pomp, you show no creativity and a sour deposition. Should this site ever become like you I will wish to be banned and wear it as a badge of honor. You seek to suck the fun out of being a part of this site. The individuals that comprise this site enjoy and have fun. You know neither. Your overt hostilities toward the relaxed nature of QOTD is telling. There were 31 front page articles today. How many did you take time to read? How many did you bother to post a comment on. There were many times more headlines posted here at HA today. Same question. You come in and complain. I took you up on your complaining and took a descending view on your comment. Care to remind everyone here what your response was? I have it at hand and will be all to happy to post it for you. Just ask. No, I say you have in fact not been a long time reader of this site. Nor are you a preferable addition to it. Feel free to respond. Oh and OT.
Bmore on April 4, 2012 at 12:37 AM

That’s the other thing: the handful of Romney supporters that chit-chat all night treat the other members like dirt and they don’t come around any more. Instead of lively, mostly civil intellectual debates, we have chit-chat.

FloatingRock on April 24, 2012 at 11:28 PM

Here’s an idea. Why don’t you chill out and join us? Can I get you a beer or a glass of wine?

JPeterman on April 24, 2012 at 11:32 PM
I’ve tried that. Tried being nice, tried offering a beer, tried just asking him to calm down. Doesn’t work, just yells at me about voter fraud and electing a Jew hater.

That’s the other thing: the handful of Romney supporters that chit-chat all night treat the other members like dirt and they don’t come around any more. Instead of lively, mostly civil intellectual debates, we have chit-chat.

FloatingRock on April 24, 2012 at 11:28 PM

Mostly because it is nice to have one thread without overt campaign rhetoric monopolizing everything. You do understand very few minds get changed on these political blogs, don’t you. It just gives posters the illusion of making a difference. Those that can’t face that reality come on here and whine. I am happy to welcome you here as an equal and valued contributor, but, I have no interest in hearing about Ronulian theory the rest of the night. Take yer shoes off, put yer feet up and chill. Tomorrow will come soon enough. Oh,..and give us a tune.

That’s the other thing: the handful of Romney supporters that chit-chat all night treat the other members like dirt and they don’t come around any more. Instead of lively, mostly civil intellectual debates, we have chit-chat.

FR, join us in a little fun, you’ve been at it all day. Time to take a load off. Not all of us are anti social. :)

uncommon sense on April 24, 2012 at 11:30 PM

Nothing personal against those of you who treat others with civility, but HotAir really was a lot better in the old days before the QOTD became a full fledged chat room. I haven’t complained because I’m tolerant and things change, maybe that’s what people want, but even though there are more comments than ever on the QOTD, there is only a handful of people making most of the comments and there is very little on topic conversation. In the old days there were a lot more people who would participate in the QOTD threads, each of whom would make fewer, more substantive comments that were on topic.

But maybe the old members moved on for other reasons and the chit chat is what people want now. Since somebody complained and I’ve heard other complaints, I thought I would defend Minnesoter instead of piling on with the insults and rude comments that the Romney people so enjoy.

Good example. HotAir was a much cooler place with a better clientele in the old days. We used to debate the issues and there was always some personal conflict but now it’s just a bunch of trolls who don’t even try to treat other people with a reasonable amount of civility. And the trolls don’t even contribute anything useful to the conversation, they just chit-chat and insult anybody who interferes with their little world.

Hot Air has become such a downer. AP? I think you need to retire, dude. You’re depressing. Every time I come here I get more and more discouraged. Between the gassy old farts who dominate the comments with their stupid chat-room BS, and the intentional divisiveness of the the thread topics. … This place has gone to the dogs. Hot Air has become a detriment to the conservative cause.

minnesoter on April 24, 2012 at 11:04 PM

minnesoter:I am wondering if your honest and legit,or just trying
to rile up AP,and are nothing more than a plant,with
an inflitration just before the Presidential Election,
as alot(Of old farts)bring info,illuminating the screw
-ups/corruption/and criminal activities of the Liberal,
and now,Obamas Party of Progressive Socialists!!

I for one have been spanked,and it makes me awfully
nervous to(Chit-chat)!!!

McCain only kept a few things off limits. McCain attacked with no problem in other areas. These are still off limits. No BC talk, No Hussine talk. No Jeremiah Wright talk. Have not heard Mitt on any of these.

Mitt is worst than McCain IMHO McCain would NOT have supported the Student Loan College enrichment scheme.